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Lead-Free FACTS

FAQ 1:
  • Can HASL (Hot Air Solder Levelled) boards be Pb free?
  • What are my board options and what are the relative merits of each finish?
  • What legislation is there relating to lead usage in Automotive Electronics?
FAQ 2:
  • Do you need a new paste flux chemistry for moving from SnPb to Lead-free solder paste?
  • What are the important considerations for reworking lead-free BGA’s?
  • What if my solder supplier has no licence agreement with any patent holders?
FAQ 3:
  • What are the arguments for use of nitrogen in the wave soldering process?
  • What are the important limits/features of the reflow profile?
  • Can I use lead containing components during transition with SAC solders: what are the risks in doing so?
FAQ 4:
  • Can I use standard surface mount adhesive for attaching SMT components to the PCB prior to wave soldering?
  • What is the legislation concerning solder producers with regard to lead containing solders after RoHS implementation?
  • Why has the tin-silver-copper family of alloys become the “standard” alloy for almost all lead-free assembly operations?
FAQ 5:
  • What alloy should I choose for hand soldering?
  • What is “Fillet-Lifting” and how can I avoid it?
  • Do I need to make any changes to my stencil designs when switching to lead free?
FAQ 6:
  • Do you need a new paste flux chemistry for moving from SnPb to Lead-free solder paste?
  • What are the important considerations for reworking lead-free BGA's?
  • What if my solder supplier has no licence agreement with any patent holders?
  • I have heard of 'tin whiskers', what are they and what is the concern?
FAQ 7:
  • Will PCBs be more difficult to clean after lead-free processing?
  • I've heard about Vapour Phase Soldering - what is it and why is ther renewed interest?
FAQ 8:
  • Can I use lead containing components during transition with SAC solders: what are the risks in doing so?
  • What are the important limits/features of the reflow profile?
  • What are the arguments for use of nitrogen in the wave soldering process?
FAQ 9:
  • Can I use standard surface mount adhesive for attaching SMT components to the PCB prior to wave soldering?
  • Why has the tin-silver copper family of alloys become the 'standard' alloy for almost all lead-free assembly operations?
  • What is the legislation concerning solder producers with regard to lead containing solders after RoHS implementation?